. >>> the pentagon is also devising a plan to pull remaining u.s. troops out of afghanistan. but that doesn't mean the mission there is over. in fact, cbs 5 reporter john ramos says an air national guard unit from the bay area is headed to afghanistan. >> our mission is simple to save lives. >> reporter: when the 129th rescue wing at moffett field gears up, it usually means someone is in trouble. >> a lot of people think we do medevac but it transports patients so they can't fly into active combat area. our helicopters are armed and our crews are trained to go and rescue people where others can't. >> reporter: and that will be a useful skill as this wing of the california air national guard is being sent to bases in afghanistan and southern africa. the 210 airmen being deployed will spend four months flying rescue missions in some dangerous places. >> both search and extraction missions, some that are publicized, some not. >> reporter: the helicopters and c-130 refuelers play a vital support role for military operations in hot spots like afghanistan and terrorist strongholds